OPEN Synonyms: 529 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'open' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of open are exposed , liable , prone , sensitive , subject , and susceptible . While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence. // a claim open to question

Q: When could 'exposed' be used to replace 'open'?

The words exposed and open can be used in similar contexts, but exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening. // exposed to infection

Q: When can 'liable' be used instead of 'open'?

While in some cases nearly identical to open , liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation. // liable to get lost

Q: When would 'prone' be a good substitute for 'open'?

While the synonyms prone and open are close in meaning, prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something. // prone to delay

Q: When might 'sensitive' be a better fit than 'open'?

The words sensitive and open are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli. // unduly sensitive to criticism

Q: When is 'subject' a more appropriate choice than 'open'?

In some situations, the words subject and open are roughly equivalent. However, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone. // all reports are subject to review

Q: When is it sensible to use 'susceptible' instead of 'open'?

The meanings of susceptible and open largely overlap; however, susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable. // very susceptible to flattery

open 1 of 3

verb

Definition of open next

as in to unlock

to change from a closed to an open position please open the door to let the cat out

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to clear

to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions we need to open this drain that's clogged with hair

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as in to expand

to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area when we got too close, the cardinal opened its wings and flew to a higher branch

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as in to free

to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way snowplows opened the runway without much trouble

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as in to begin

to take the first step in (a process or course of action) we will open the proceedings tomorrow with a short ceremony

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open

2 of 3

adjective

ˈō-pən

as in cleared

allowing passage without obstruction thank you for clearing out the hallway so that it's open again

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as in public

freely available for use or participation by all the lanes at the bowling alley will be open during the afternoon, but will be available only for league play in the evening

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as in vulnerable

being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm the country's open to invasion if its borders remain unguarded

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as in honest

free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions a talkative and open child who tells people more than they want to know

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as in exposed

lacking a usual or natural covering open wounds in his legs

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as in shared

not known by only a select few the two boxers have an open dislike for each other

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as in pending

not yet settled or decided that issue will have to remain open until the supervisor can decide

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as in impartial

willing to consider new or different ideas she is always open and ready to listen to anyone's suggestions

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as in generous

giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation he's very open with his opinions, many of which are not welcome

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open

3 of 3

noun

as in wilderness

that part of the physical world that is removed from human habitation a daguerreotype of a cowboy whose face is roughened from a hard life in the open

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective open contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of open are exposed, liable, prone, sensitive, subject, and susceptible. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.

a claim open to question

When could exposed be used to replace open?

The words exposed and open can be used in similar contexts, but exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.

exposed to infection

When can liable be used instead of open?

While in some cases nearly identical to open, liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.

liable to get lost

When would prone be a good substitute for open?

While the synonyms prone and open are close in meaning, prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.

prone to delay

When might sensitive be a better fit than open?

The words sensitive and open are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.

unduly sensitive to criticism

When is subject a more appropriate choice than open?

In some situations, the words subject and open are roughly equivalent. However, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.

all reports are subject to review

When is it sensible to use susceptible instead of open?

The meanings of susceptible and open largely overlap; however, susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.

very susceptible to flattery

Examples of open in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Group is partnering with the resort to open Bar Mar, the first José Andrés restaurant in Arizona. Andrés is an award-winning Spanish-American chef and co-founder of World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that provides food in areas affected by war or natural disasters. —

Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 23 Oct. 2024 Related article The ‘world’s largest’ vacuum to suck climate pollution out of the air has opened. —

Issy Ronald, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024

Adjective

The exhibition will be open to the public through Jan. 12. —

Denni Hu, WWD, 22 Oct. 2024 Too much rain can cause a pumpkin to grow too quickly, cracking its flesh open, which would disqualify it from competition. —

Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2024

Noun

Hugely powerful glide bombs that have terrorized civilian areas of Ukraine and bludgeoned Ukrainian army defenses were also kept at the arsenal, located 115 kilometers (70 miles) from the Ukrainian border, and some of the ammunition was stored in the open, Ukraine said. —

Morgan Phillips, Fox News, 9 Oct. 2024 Stocks are indicated for another soft open as markets weigh Middle East tensions and oil rising again. —

Jeff Marks, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for open

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'open.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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“Open.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.

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Last Updated: 26 Oct 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of open

verb

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noun

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Examples of open in a Sentence

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